Heat source unit and scroll compressor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heat source units and scroll compressors experience malfunctions due to vibration during operation and excitation during transportation, leading to potential pipe breakage and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A configuration where pipes are fixed to each other at vertical portions using a fixing member, with connection portions aligned on a straight line, and supported by legs with vibration-proof rubbers, to suppress vibrations and excitation forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pipes are connected to the compression chamber with injection pipe, suction pipe, and discharge pipe, then gas injection function is improved, but vibration and excitation cause pipe breakage and malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas injection functionVSAvoidpipe breakage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction pipe, discharge pipe, and injection pipe are merged into a single integrated pipe assembly that is fixed to the housing. This combining of multiple pipes into one structured unit provides mutual support and distributes vibration stresses, preventing individual pipe breakage while maintaining all three connection functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe assembly is pre-fixed to the housing in a predetermined configuration before the compressor operates or is transported. This preliminary fixation establishes a stable structural framework that proactively resists vibration and excitation forces, preventing pipe breakage before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If pipes extend vertically from connection portions, then connection is simplified, but vibration causes excessive stress and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidvibration stress and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple vertically extending pipes are merged into a fixed assembly where they provide mutual structural support. This combination reduces the harmful effects of vibration and noise by distributing stresses across the entire pipe structure rather than allowing individual pipes to vibrate independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves as an intermediary structure that receives and distributes vibration forces from the compression chamber to the fixed pipe assembly. This intermediary configuration reduces the transmission of excessive stress and noise to individual pipes while maintaining vertical connection simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If compressor is transported without special protection, then transportation is simple, but excitation causes pipe breakage and malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidpipe breakage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe assembly is pre-fixed to the housing in a predetermined configuration before transportation. This preliminary structural preparation creates a vibration-resistant framework that proactively protects against excitation forces during transportation, eliminating the need for additional protective measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The integration of multiple pipes into a fixed assembly creates a unified structural unit that resists transportation excitation forces. This merged configuration provides inherent protection against pipe breakage during shipping and handling, maintaining reliability without complicating transportation logistics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively reduces rigid body vibrations and enhances the reliability of the heat source unit and scroll compressor without increasing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

each of the three or four legs is attached with a vibration-proof rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

the vibration-proof rubber different in type from the vibration-proof rubber attached to the legs other than the leg located at the position farthest from the first straight line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4488589B1Heat source unit and scroll compressor
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP4488589B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488589B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4488589B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A heat source unit (3) of a refrigerant cycle apparatus (1) includes a compressor (10), a pipe, and a fixing member (24) in order to suppress malfunction caused by vibration during operation and excitation during transportation. The compressor (10) has two or three connection portions among a first connection portion (21A) that connects a suction pipe (21), a second connection portion (22A) that connects a discharge pipe (22), and a third connection portion (23A) that connects an injection pipe (23). Each of the pipes includes a vertical portion at least a part of which extends vertically from each of the two or three connection portions. The fixing member (24) fixes two or three of the pipes to each other at the vertical portions. In top view, the connection portions are located on one first straight line (L1). The pipes extending from the connection portions located on the first straight line (L1) are fixed by the fixing member (24).